Chamber Reconsiders Options.

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce has declined an offer from Main Street Carthage Main Street to share office space in the Main Street location on Main Street.

In a letter to the Main Street organization, Chamber President Dr. Greg Goetzinger said the "Board expressed a desire to continue the search for a facility that comes closer to meeting the Chamber’s requirements."

According to the letter, the Chamber agreed that sharing office space is a realistic and viable possibility, but they are not convinced that the current Main Street Carthage facility is best suited for the needs of everyone involved.

The letter cited concerns of interior space (office layout, storage, and conference/meeting room spaces and a facility that "is assessable to the general public and provides the best visibility to visitors and new comers to the city."

The letter also reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to working together and finding a mutually beneficial location and thanked Main Street Carthage for the offer.

For those of us who feel like we’re committin’ high crime if we forget to fasten our seat belts, the thought of tryin’ to out run local and county law enforcement is a little outrageous.

I see one fella thought he could do that the other day, only to be snagged as he came back into town by the gadget that is laid across the road by police and pokes holes in the tires to end a chase. There have been a couple three times I can remember these handy devices have been used since the Carthage Police Department acquired them a few years back.

‘Course they aren’t as excitin’ a shootin’ out a tire with a sidearm, but apparently they get the job done and with considerable less damage to the neighbors.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Prepping Your House for the Holidays

Here we are already — Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and relatives are popping out of the woodwork. Can you make your house safe for winter and keep it a welcome place for visitors? Of course! And it only takes a few hours to do so. Before guests knock on your door, take a moment to shore up a few things and ensure a happy, safe holiday.

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working by pressing the test button on the front of the detector cover. If you don’t get a nice, loud beep, replace the batteries and retest.

• Check all fire extinguishers to make sure they’re fully charged and undamaged. An extinguisher that’s badly dented, corroded or not completely charged should be replaced. Household extinguishers can be purchased for as little as $10 at home-improvement stores, so don’t hesitate to buy one.

• Pick up clutter around the house to prevent trips and falls, as well as reduce the risk of fire. If you’re in the middle of a project, clean it up and store it so that curious visitors don’t mess with it.

• Take out and test space heaters if you use them during cold weather. Replace damaged heaters. Remember to keep this type of heater at least 3 feet away from any flammable object — clothing, papers, blankets or other items.

• Unused rooms that are closed off should be opened at least two days before visitors arrive. This means keeping the doors open, opening the heating vents and possibly lifting the windows for a couple of hours to let fresh air in.

• Place all breakable items, cleaners and small objects out of children’s reach, either by placing them on high shelves or locking them away. This prevents accidents, poisoning or choking when adults are looking the wrong way. Purchase socket guards and install them in unused outlets when children visit.

• Outdoors, place mulch around shrubs and plants to protect them from cold weather.

• Don’t stack firewood next to the walls of the house; this invites bugs and critters in from the cold. Place the stack a few inches off the ground (a wooden pallet is a good base) and at least 10 feet from the house. Bring inside only as much wood as you’ll burn in an evening.